Sugar output in Punjab touches historic low

Sugar output in Punjab touched a historic low of 19 lakh quintals in the current crushing season owing to shortage in cane crop and lower crushing as compared to 25 lakh quintals during the corresponding period last year. According to the state government data, the output is lowest in the state’s history after 1980-81. The data states that in 1980-81, the sugar output in the state was 5.19 lakh quintals and thereafter it kept on increasing.

Agriculturists are of the view, with farmers shifting their preference towards wheat and paddy, the consistent fall in area under cane cultivation has badly affected the sugarcane production in the State, thus reducing the output. It is worth mentioning that the total area under sugarcane fell to 60,000 hectares in 2009-10 as compared to 81,000 hectares in 2008-09.

Speaking to Business Standard, Cane Commissioner, M S Sandhu said, “Sugar output in the state touched 19 lakh quintals against 25 lakh quintals last year mainly because of fall in area.”

Due to shortage of cane, all the 9 co-operative sugar mills in the state having crushing capacity of 15,766 TCD has been affected. The crushing season has been reduced to 42-46 days this season against 61 days in the last crushing season.

Even the picture of the private sugar mills was not very rosy.